A Raw, Heart-Breaking Historical Novel
Based On A True Story
ABOUT THE BOOK
1939. Seventeen-year-old Nora Jennings has spent her life secure in the certainty of a bright, happy future – until one night of passion has more catastrophic consequences than she ever could have anticipated. Labelled a moral defective and sectioned under the Mental Deficiency Act, she is forced to endure years of unspeakable cruelty at the hands of those who are supposed to care for her.
1981. When psychiatrist Janet Humphreys comes across Nora, heavily institutionalised and still living in the hospital more than forty years after her incarceration, she knows that she must be the one to help Nora rediscover what it is to live. But as she works to help Nora overcome her past, Janet realises she must finally face her own.
Based on a true story, The Girl Behind the Gates is the raw, heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting tale of a young woman cut down in her prime, and of the woman who finally brings her back to life, perfect for fans of The Girl in the Letter and Philomena.
- Title: The Girl Behind The Gates
- Author: Brenda Davies
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
- Publication Date: July 23, 2020
- Page Count: 400
- Excerpt
My Thoughts
This is an emotional story that is sad and unbelievable, but at the same time very uplifting and inspirational.
When 17-year-old Nora finds herself pregnant, her housekeeper secretly offers her a pill to abort the baby since she isn’t married. Not only doesn’t that work but almost immediately her angry father has her standing in front of several high ranking men because she has attempted to take a life. They discuss whether she should possibly go to prison. Yet they concur that a better option would be to institutionalize her and label her a moral defective. This is allowed due to the Mental Deficiency Act.
Is this part hard to read? Absolutely. It’s hard to comprehend how people can be so cruel. But allow yourself to feel it, then move on. The story is much more than pain, hurt and sorrow.
The story, which is based on true events, is about people, mistakes, and misunderstandings, to a large degree, in the medical and psychiatric fields. But it doesn’t stop there. It’s about survival, kindness, and healing. It’s a wonderful tale of strength and inspiration.
What Concerned Me
While this isn’t a large concern, I’m still going to mention it. As the new psychiatrist begins working with Nora, their stories intermingle. Though it is interesting and perhaps somewhat important, in many ways it distracts from Nora’s story. Again, this is a small concern.
Final Thoughts
The writing flowed and quickly drew me in. Though some of the scenes were painful to read, the story heavily focused on survival and the goodness in people.
I highly recommend this poignant, thought-provoking debut novel by Brenda Davies.
We never know how much our words and actions can affect people. And that, of course, refers to both positively and negatively.
I will definitely watch for future books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an ARC for review.
Rating
4 Stars
About the Author
Dr Brenda Davies is Consultant Psychiatrist. She holds regular workshops around the world and includes many celebrities among her clients. Having been born and raised in County Durham, England, Brenda Davies now lives very happily in Wales. She spent many years living and working abroad, in Zambia, the USA, Germany and Rome. The Girl Behind the Gates is her first novel.
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Sounds like you enjoyed in spite of the small concern
Absolutely! This is a book worth reading. ❤